Feeding head for reciprocating or



March 14, 1939 E R, BERGMANN 21,027

FEEDING HEAD FOR RECIPROCATING OR SHAKER CONVEYERS Original Filed N v.11. 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 14, 1939.

E. R. BERG-MANN FEEDING HEAD FOR RECIPROCATING OR SHAKER CONVEYERS 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Origin a1 Filed Nov. 11

l ll 1. -1 I l I I I l I I l l 1 l -1 772.52 Ber mam! Reissued Mar. 14,1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FEEDING HEAD FOR RECIPROCATING ORSHAKER CONVEYERS Original No. 2,127,902, dated August 23, 1938, Se-

rial No. 49,157, November 11, 1935.

Application for reissue November 14, 1938, Serial No.

16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in feeding heads forreciprocating or shaker conveyers of the type used for gathering andtransporting loose material such as coal, rock or the like.

More specifically my invention relates to improvements in feeding headsin which the extension and retraction of a telescoping trough section iscontrolled through friction devices engageable with and disengageablefrom said trough section at will during certain periods of the forwardand return stroke of the main conveyer and has as its principal objectsto provide an improved and simplified construction of feeding head,especially designed for work in places having an uneven or pitchingbottom and having relatively low head room or vertical clearance.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved supportfor the trough sections and feeding mechanism which is arranged tominimize frictional resistance and binding between the trough sectionsand feeding mechanism and to increase the frictional resistance of thetelescoping trough section against the ground to reduce to a minimum thetendency of this trough section to move with the reciprocating troughsection, particularly when being initially extended into a pile of coal.

As heretofore constructed, feeding devices for reciprocating conveyershave been connected to the forward end of the reciprocating troughsection for movement therewith and have formed a support for thetelescoping trough section. A feeding device so constructed isrelatively heavy and the frictional resistance thereof against thetelescoping trough section is such that there is a tendency for saidtrough section to move with the feeding device. This latter isespecially true when feeding along ascending grades. There is also atendency of binding between the telescoping trough section and thereciprocating'trough section and feeding device where the bottom isuneven or is inclined upwardly or downwardly with respect to the mainconveyer line. The device of my invention is so arranged as to avoidthis binding and increase the frictional resistance of the telescopingtrough section against the ground and reduce the frictional resistancebetween the feeding device and telescoping trough section by slidablysupporting the telescoping trough section on the ground adjacent itsforward and rearward ends independently of the rest of the conveyer andby mounting the forward end of the reciprocating trough section formovement along the telescoping trough section in such a manner that thetelescoping trough section may form a support for the weight of thefeeding mechanism and the forward end of the reciprocating troughsection and permit the reciprocating trough section and feedingmechanism to freely move therealong.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as thefollowing specification proceeds.

My invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a feeding mechanism attached tothe forward end of a reciprocating conveyer showing the apparatuspositioned for loading along a level bottom;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1showing the apparatus positioned for loading along a bottom whichpitches downwardly with respect to the main conveyer line;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1,showing the apparatus positioned for loading along a bottom whichpitches upwardly with respect to the main conveyer line;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail plan view of the feeding mechanism shownin Figure 1, with the extensible trough shown in an extended positionand with certain parts of the feeding mechanism broken away and shown inhorizontal section;

Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevation of the device shown in Figure 1,with the parts positioned as shown in Figure 4 and with certain partsbroken away and shown in vertical section; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 ofFigure 4.

Referring now to the details of construction of the embodiment of myinvention illustrated in the drawings, the main elements thereof consistof a reciprocating shaker conveyer pan line, generally indicated byreference character l0, having a reciprocating trough section I Iconnected to the forward end thereof for pivotal movement with respectthereto about a horizontal transverse axis by means of a swivelconnection, generally indicated by reference character l2. An extensibletrough section or pick-up member l3 having a flared gathering shovel I4at the forward end thereof extends from said reciprocating troughsection and is adapted to be nested therein for extension or retractionwith respect thereto.

The extensible trough section or pick-up member I3 is provided with apair of laterally extending bearing plates l1, l1 secured to andextending outwardly from the upper flanges of said extensible troughsection. Said bearing plates are adapted to be engaged by a feedingmechanism, generally indicated by reference character I5, forcontrolling the extension or retraction of said extensible troughsection with respect to said reciprocating trough section.

Means are provided for supporting the rear end of said extensible troughsection, together with the feeding mechanism which herein comprises asupporting shoe l9 connected to the rear end of the extensible troughsection and adapted to engage and slide along the ground. Saidsupporting shoe has a pair of parallel spaced legs l3, I8 extendingupwardly therefrom which are secured to the under surface of saidbearing plates am'acent the rearward end thereof by means of suitablecap screws (see Figures 5 and 6). The forward end of said trough sectionis supported on the forward end of the shovel I4.

Said supporting shoe extends beneath the reciprocating trough section IIand said supporting legs extend along opposite sides of saidreciprocating trough section. Each of said legs is provided with avertically disposed guide roller 20 which is adapted to engage a bearingmember 2| extending along each upper outside of the reciprocating troughsection. Said bearing members are herein preferably shown as beingformed from a tubular material such as pipe, which is herein shown asbeing secured to the outer sides of said trough section in a suitablemanner, such as welding.

The forward end of the reciprocating trough section II is slidablysupported above the ground on the extensible trough section l3 by meansof two sets of parallel spaced rollers 23, 23. Each set of said rollersincludes one roller supported on and adapted to roll along the bearingmember l1 and another roller extending beneath said bearing member andacting as a guide to prevent vertical displacement of said reciprocatingtrough section. Said rollers are provided with suitable flanges 24, 24extending from the outer sides thereof and adapted to engage the outerends of the bearing plates l1, H to guide said pick-up member againstlateral displacement.

Each set of parallel spaced rollers 23, 23 is mounted on a bracket 25 onparallel spaced transversely extending shafts 26, 26. Each of saidbrackets is spaced laterally from the outer sides of the reciprocatingtrough section II) and extends upwardly from opposite sides of asupporting plate 21 and the major portion thereof is disposed above saidconveyer trough. Said supporting plate is secured to and extends acrossthe bottom of the forward end of said reciprocating trough section andupwardly along and laterally beyond opposite sides of said troughsection. Said brackets are of a C-shaped formation having the openportion thereof extending inwardly towards the center of said conveyertrough and said shafts extend transversely across vertical open portionsof said brackets and are supported therein above and below the inneropenings thereof.

It will be seen from the foregoing that since the extensible troughsection I3 is independently supported at its rearward end on thesupporting shoe l3 and on the ground at its forward end, and since theforward end of said reciprocating trough section is slidably supportedon the bearing plates |1, |1 on the rollers 23, 23, that saidreciprocating trough section may reciprocably move along said extensibletrough section when said trough sections are disposed in various tiltingpositions with respect to each other, and that the arrangement is suchas to minimize binding between said trough sections and increase thefrictional resistance of said extensible trough. section against theground.

With reference now in particular to the feeding means for extending saidextensible trough section with respect to said reciprocating troughsection, as shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5, and yet permitting thepivotal rocking movement of said extensible trough section with respectto said reciprocating trough section, as just described, said feedingmeans is similar to that disclosed in the patent of William W, Sloane,No. 2,005,567, but is mounted on the forward end of the reciprocatingtrough section, instead of on a separable feeding head connected to saidtrough section. Said feeding means consists of two sets of frictionblocks 30 and 3|, each of which sets is mounted on a carrier member 33of a C-shaped formation. One carrier member is provided at each side ofthe extensible trough II, and since the construction of each carriermember and the means for controlling the operation thereof is similar, adescription of one will suffice for both.

Each carrier member 33 has the blocks 30 and 3| mounted therein on bolts34 and 35, respectively. Said bolts extend transversely across avertical open portion of said C-shaped carrier and are adapted to beadjustably moved towards each other in a suitable manner; as, forinstance, set screws 36, 36.

The connection between said carrier member and said. reciprocatingtrough section includes a bifurcated connecting member 31 pivotallyconnected to the bolt 34 on, opposite sides of the block 30 andextending rearwardly therefrom. Said connecting member has a rod 38slidably mounted therein which extends rearwardly therefrom and has arearward end formed in the shape of an open eye which is adapted to beengaged by a pivotal pin 39 mounted at its ends in the bracket 25adjacent the forward end thereof. A compression spring 40 is interposedbetween the rearward end of the connecting member 31 and a collar 4|,which collar abuts a nut 42 threaded on said shaft. Thus, saidconnecting member and compression spring provide a. yieldable pivotalconnection between the bracket 25 and carrier member 33 which permitsthe blocks 30 and 3| to be automatically released from the bearingplates |1, |1 when the forward end of the shovel I4 engages anobstruction.

A link 43 is pivotally mounted on the pin 33 and extends angularlydownwardly therefrom along the outer side of the extensible troughsection l3. Said link has its lower end pivotally connected to atransversely extending shaft 44. Said transversely extending shaft has acrank arm 45 secured thereto and extending rearwardly therefrom, theouter end of which crank arm is pivotally secured to a rocking member46. Said rocking member is in turn pivotally connected to the lower bolt35 of the carrier member 33. An operating handle 41 is provided on'eachouter end of the shaft 44 for rocking said shaft and the rocking members46, 46.

Rocking movement of said rocking members will pivot the carrier members33, 33 about the axes of the upper bolts 34, 34. Thus, uponreciprocating movement of the conveyer pan line, rocking movement of thecarrier members 33, 33 in a direction to engage the grip blocks 30 and3| with the bearing plates I1, l1 during the forward stroke of theconveyer and disengage said. grip blocks from said bearing plates duringthe rearward stroke of the conveyer will extend the extensible troughsection with respect to said reciprocating trough section. In a contrarymanner, engagement of said grip blocks with the bearing members I1, I!upon the rearward stroke of the conveyer, and disengagement of said gripblocks from said bearing plates upon the forward stroke of the conveyer,will retract said extensible trough section within said reciprocatingtrough section.

When the operating handles 41, 41 are in the position shown in Figures 4and 5, and the lever arms 45, 45 are past a dead center position withrespect to the pivotal axes of the rocking members 46, 46, said gripblocks will be locked in engagement with said bearing members and saidextensible section will be moved with said reciprocating trough sectionupon reciprocation thereof.

When said operating handles are in an upstanding position so that thecarrier members 33, 33 are supported in an upright position with respectto the extensible trough, the blocks 30 and 3| will be disengaged fromthe bearing plates l1, l1 and the reciprocating trough section Il mayfreely reciprocate along said extensible trough section.

Means are provided to permit said feeding mechanism to be operated whenthe bottom is inclined transversely with respect to the main trough linewhich includes an eyepiece 49 extending outwardly from each bracket 25adjacent the rearward end thereof. Said eyepiece is adapted to have asuitable flexible connecting member (not shown) connected thereto, theopposite end of which flexible connecting member is adapted to besecured to a prop or other fixed abutment so it may swing like apendulum about its point of connection to said prop upon reciprocatingmovement of said conveyer.

It should here be noted that since the trough section II is free to movealong the extensible trough section I3, which forms a support for saidreciprocating trough section and the feeding mechanism, and since theweight of said extensible trough section is supported on the groundindependently of the rest of the conveyer, the frictional resistance ofsaid extensible trough section against the ground will be such that itwill tend to remain in fixed relation with respect to the mine floorduring reciprocable movement of the conveyer, when operating alongascending or descending grades as well as along the level, except whengripped by the feeding mechanism.

It should further be noted that since said extensible trough sectionrests on the ground at its forward end and is supported above the groundat its rearward end on the shoe l9, and that since said reciprocatingtrough section is supported for free reciprocating movement therealong,said trough sections may be inclined with respect to each other withoutbinding therebetween, and the tendency for said extensible troughsection to slip back or be drawn back along said reciprocating troughsection by the feeding head when working along ascending grades has beenreduced to a minimum.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the feeding mechanism. extendsforwardly from and is pivotally supported on the reciprocating troughsection a considerable distance ahead of the supporting shoe whichsupports the rearward end of the extensible trough section above theground, and that the arrangement is such that the troughs may readily beinclined with respect to each other and said feeding mechanism iseffective when said troughs are tilted with respect to each other.

It will also be seen that the usual heavy supporting means for thefeeding mechanism which has heretofore been utilized for feeding theextensible trough section, with its relatively great frictionalresistance against the ground and the extensible trough section, hasbeen eliminated and a rolling support for the forward end of saidreciprocating trough on the extensible trough has been provided in itsplace which reduces frictional losses and increases the efiiciency ofthe feeding mechanism and permits said trough sections to readilyconform to uneven mine floors and be inclined with respect to each otherwithout binding.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my inventionmay be embodied, it will be understood that the construction andarrangement of the various parts may be changed or altered withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wishto be construed as limiting myself to the precise constructionillustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a shaker conveyer, an extensible trough section wholly supportedon the ground adjacent its forward and rearward ends independently ofthe remainder of the conveyer, and a reciprocating trough sectionsupported on said extensible trough section for reciprocable movementtherealong in such a manner as to be freely movable therealong and causean increase in the frictional resistance of said extensible troughsection against the ground, said reciprocating trough section havingfeed control means pivotally connected to the forward end thereof andextending in advance thereof and adapted to selectively grip saidextensible trough section and cause it to move with said reciprocatingtrough section or permit said reciprocating trough section to freelymove along said extensible trough section.

2. In a feeding device for shaker conveyers,

an extensible trough section slidably supported on the ground adjacentits forward end and above the ground adjacent its rearward end so theentire weight of said trough section rests on the ground independentlyof the rest of the conveyer, a reciprocating trough section having feedcontrol means pivoted thereon and extending forwardly of the forward endthereof, and a supporting connection between said extensible troughsection and said reciprocating trough section for supporting saidreciprocating trough section on said extensible trough section forreciprocable movement along said extensible trough section in such amanner as to cause an increase in the frictional resistance of saidextensible trough section against the ground.

3. In a feeding device for shaker conveyers, a reciprocating troughsection, an extensible trough section, a shoe for supporting therearward end of said extensible trough section above the ground andpermitting the forward end of said trough section to rest on the groundso said extensible trough section may be supported on the groundindependently of the conveyer, and a supporting connection between saidreciprocating and extensible trough sections permitting saidreciprocating trough section to be supported for movement along saidextensible trough section comprising anti-friction means mounted on saidreciprocating trough section having engagement with opposite sides ofsaid extensible trough section.

4. In a feeding device for shaker conveyers, a reciprocating troughsection, an extensible trough section, a shoe for supporting therearward end of said extensible trough section above the ground andpermitting the forward end of said trough section to rest on the groundso said extensible trough section may be supported on the groundindependently of the conveyer, and a supporting connection between saidreciprocating and extensible trough sections permitting saidreciprocating trough section to be supported for movement along saidextensible trough section comprising bearing plates extending laterallyfrom the upper side of said extensible trough section, and anti-frictionmembers mounted on said reciprocating trough section and havingengagement with said hearing plates.

5. In a feeding device for shaker conveyers, an extensible troughsection, a shoe for supporting the rearward end of said extensibletrough section above the ground and permitting the forward end of saidtrough section to rest on the ground so said extensible trough sectionmay be supported on the ground independently of the conveyer, areciprocating trough section, means supported by said reciprocatingtrough section for extending or retracting said extensible troughsection with respect to said reciprocating trough section including apair of clamping devices adapted to engage plates extending laterallyfrom said extensible trough section, and a supporting connection betweensaid extensible and reciprocating trough sections permitting saidreciprocating trough section to slidably move along said extensibletrough section and increasing the frictional resistance of saidextensible trough section against the ground comprising anti-frictionmeans on said reciprocating trough section movable along said bearingplates and forming a movable support for said reciprocating troughsection.

6. In a feeding device for shaker conveyers, an extensible troughsection, a shoe for supporting the rearward end of said extensibletrough section above the ground and permitting the forward end of saidtrough section to rest on the ground so said extensible trough sectionmay be supported on the ground independently of the conveyer, areciprocating trough section, means supported by said reciprocatingtrough section for extending or retracting said extensible troughsection with respect to said reciprocating trough section including apair of clamping devices adapted to engage plates extending laterallyfrom said extensible trough section, and a supporting connection betweensaid extensible and reciprocating trough sections permitting saidreciprocating trough section to slidably move along said extensibletrough section and increasing the frictional resistance of saidextensible trough section against the ground comprising rollerssupported at the forward end of said reciprocating trough section andmovable along said bearing plates and forming a movable support for saidreciprocating trough section.

7. In a feeding device for shaker conveyers, an extensible troughsection slidably supported on the ground adjacent its forward end andabove the ground adjacent its rearward end, a reciprocating troughsection having feed control means pivoted thereon and extendingforwardly of the forward end thereof, and a. plurality of rollersmounted on said reciprocating trough section and engaging saidextensible trough section for supporting the forward end of saidreciprocating trough section for reciprocable movement along saidextensible trough section.

8. In a feeding device for shaker conveyers, a reciprocating troughsection, an extensible trough section, friction grip feeding meanspivotally connected to said reciprocating trough section and adapted tohave selective engagement with said extensible trough section forwardlyof said reciprocating trough section during the forward or return strokeof said conveyer for controlling feeding movement of said extensibletrough section, and means for supporting the forward end of saidreciprocating trough section on said extensible trough section formovement therealong above the ground and permitting axial movement ofsaid trough sections with respect to each other in vertical planescomprising a supporting shoe engageable with the ground and supportingthe rearward end of said extensible trough section above the ground, anda supporting connection between said trough sections for supporting theforward end of said reciprocating trough section for movement along saidextensible trough section above the ground.

9. In a feeding device for shaker conveyers, a reciprocating troughsection, an extensible trough section, means for extending or retractingsaid extensible trough section with respect to said reciprocating troughsection comprising a pair of brackets extending upwardly from theforward end of said reciprocating trough section and wholly supportedthereby, a carrier member pivotally connected to each of said bracketsand disposed forwardly of the forward end thereof, each of said carriermembers having a pair of opposed friction blocks disposed above andbelow a portion of said extensible trough, means forengaging saidfriction blocks with said extensible trough during the forward or returnstroke of the conveyer, and means for supporting the forward end of saidreciprocating trough section above the ground and permitting axialmovement of said trough sections with respect to each other in avertical plane comprising a shoe supporting the rearward end of saidextensible trough section above the ground and anti-friction 'saidreciprocating trough section in advance thereof and adapted to engagesaid extensible trough section above and below a portion thereof, a pairof brackets extending upwardly from opposite sides of the forward end ofsaid reciprocating trough section and wholly supported thereby, acarrier member disposed forwardly of said brackets and pivotallyconnected thereto and forming a pivotal support for said friction gripblocks, means for engaging said friction grip blocks with saidextensible trough during the forward or return stroke of the conveyer,and means for supporting the forward end of said reciprocating troughsection for movement along said extensible trough section above theground and permitting axial movement of said trough sections withrespect to each other in a vertical plane comprising a shoe supportingthe rearward end of said extensible trough section above the ground anda pair of parallel spaced rollers on each of said brackets engaging saidextensible trough section above and below a portion thereof.

11. In a feeding device for shaker conveyers, a reciprocating conveyertrough section, an extensible trough section, a pair of bracketsextending upwardly from the forward end of said reciprocating troughsection and wholly sup-- ported thereby above the ground, a carriermember pivotally connected to each of said brackets and disposedforwardly thereof, each of said carrier members having a pair of opposedfriction blocks disposed above and below a portion of said extensibletrough, means for engaging said friction blocks with said extensibletrough during the forward or return stroke of the conveyer forcontrolling feeding movement of said extensible trough section, andmeans for supporting the forward end of said reciprocating troughsection for movement along said extensible trough section above theground and permitting axial movement of said extensible trough sectionwith respect to said reciprocating trough section in avertical directioncomprising a slidable supporting connection between said brackets andsaid extensible trough section and a supporting shoe adapted to slidablyengage the ground and support the rearward end of said extensible troughsection above the ground so said extensible trough section will beentirely supported on the ground independently of the rest of theconveyer, said shoe having portions thereof extending upwardly alongopposite sides of said reciprocating trough section having supportingengagement with the rearward end of said extensible trough section.

12. In a feeding device for a shaker conveyer, a reciprocating conveyertrough section, an ex tensible trough section having a forward endadapted to engage the ground, a pair of brackets extending upwardly fromthe forward end of said reciprocating trough section and whollysupported thereby above the ground, a carrier member pivotally connectedto each of said brackets and disposed forwardly thereof, each of saidcarrier members having a pair of opposed friction blocks disposed aboveand below a portion of said extensible trough, means for engaging saidfriction. blocks with said extensible trough during the forward orreturn stroke of the conveyer, and means for slidably supporting theforward end. of said reciprocating trough section on said extensibletrough section for movement therealong and permitting movement of saidextensible trough section with respect to said reciprocating troughsection in a vertical direction comprising a slidable supportingconnection between said brackets and said extensible trough section, anda supporting shoe adapted to slidably engage the ground, said shoehaving portions thereof extending upwardly along opposite sides of saidreciprocating trough section and having rollers mounted therein engagingsaid reciprocating trough section, and said shoe being secured to andsupporting the rearward end of said extensible trough section above theground independently of the rest of the conveyer.

13. In a shaker conveyer, an extensible trough section having a shovelat its forward end adapted to engage the ground, a reciprocating troughsection having its forward end telescopically supported relative to saidextensible section, feed control means affording selective engagement between said extensible and reciprocating trough sections to cause saidsections to move in unison or permit them to telescope freely withrespect to each other, and a ground engaging shoe adjacent the rear endof said extensible trough section for independently supporting saidtrough section on the ground, said shoe and extensible trough sectionbeing so arranged that said reciprocating trough section and feedcontrol means are supported on said extensible trough section for freemovement therealong, and the weight of said extensible trough section,feed control means, and reciprocating trough section is supported on theground by said shoe and shovel.

14. In a shaker conveyer, an extensible trough section having a shovelat its forward end adapted to engage the ground, a ground engaging shoesupporting the rear end of said extensible trough section, so that theweight of said extensible trough section is independently supported onthe ground, a reciprocating trough section having its forward endtelescopically supported relative to said extensible section, and feedcontrol means also supported on said extensible trough sectionintermediate said scoop and said supporting shoe and affording selectiveengagement between said extensible and reciprocating trough sections tocause said sections to move in unison or to permit them to telescopefreely with respect to each other.

15. In a shaker conveyer, an extensible trough section having a shovelat its forward end adapted to engage the ground, a ground engaging shoeadjacent the rear end of said extensible trough section, so that theWeight of said extensible trough section is independently sup-ported onthe ground, a reciprocating trough section having its forward endtelescopically supported for movement along said extensible troughsection, and feed control means carried by the forward end of saidreciprocating trough section and selectively engageable with saidextensible trough section between said scoop and supporting shoe so asto cause said sections to move in unison or telescope freely withrespect to each other.

16. In a feeding device for shaker conveyers, a reciprocating troughsection, an extensible trough section engageable with the ground at itsforward end, feed control means connected to said reciprocating troughsection and adapted to have selective engagement with said extensibletrough section during the forward or return stroke of the conveyor forcontrolling feeding movement of said extensible trough section, meansfor supporting the forward end of said reciprocating trough section forfree telescopic movement with respect to said extensible trough sectionand permitting rocking movement of said trough sections with respect toeach other in vertical planes comprising a ground engaging supportingshoe supporting the rearward .end of said extensible trough sectionabove the ground, and a supporting connection between said troughsections for supporting the forward end of said reciprocating troughsection for movement along said extensible trough section.

ERNST R. BERGMANN.

